West Virginia Contractor License Lookup

West Virginia requires a Contractor Licensing Board license for residential jobs of $5,000 or more and commercial jobs of $25,000 or more. Electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians need separate state credentials. Search contractors on the official site of the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board, and see the rules for trades and the job price where each applies. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

Search West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board

West Virginia rules checked against official sources on October 25, 2026.

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West Virginia: Remodel, repair or home improvement

  • This state rule applies to jobs of $5,000 or more. Credential: contractor license.

    Building, altering, repairing or improving a residential structure needs a Contractor Licensing Board license when the cost of the job is $5,000 or more. Source: W. Va. Code 30-42-3(d); 30-42-6(a), (c)(8)

    Conditions and exceptions for this rule:

    • Work done personally by the owner or occupant of the structure is exempt.

Look up a contractor on the official site

Search West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board

What to check on the board's record

  • The name or business on the record matches the name on your contract or estimate.
  • The status is active, not expired, suspended or revoked.
  • The license type or class covers your kind of job.
  • The license number in the contractor's ads and contract is the same one.

This summarises state rules from official sources. Only the board's own record can confirm one contractor's license. Checked October 25, 2026.

How West Virginia licenses contractors

West Virginia requires a Contractor Licensing Board license for residential jobs of $5,000 or more and commercial jobs of $25,000 or more. Electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians need separate state credentials. W. Va. Code 30-42-3(d); 30-42-6(a)

A person who keeps contracting without a license after a cease and desist order commits a misdemeanor, with fines of $200 to $1,000 for a first offense and higher fines and jail for repeat offenses. W. Va. Code 30-42-14(b)

Rules by type of work

Home improvement, new homes and roofing

  • contractor license (residential): Building, altering, repairing or improving a residential structure needs a Contractor Licensing Board license when the cost of the job is $5,000 or more. Issued by West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board. W. Va. Code 30-42-3(d); 30-42-6(a), (c)(8)
    • Work done personally by the owner or occupant of the structure is exempt.
  • contractor license (commercial): Commercial construction work needs a Contractor Licensing Board license when the cost of the job is $25,000 or more. Issued by West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board. W. Va. Code 30-42-3(d); 30-42-6(a)

Electrical work

  • State Fire Marshal electrician license: Electrical work done for pay requires a license and certificate from the State Fire Marshal. There is no dollar minimum. Electrical contracting jobs at or above the contractor thresholds also need a Contractor Licensing Board license. Issued by West Virginia State Fire Marshal (electrician licensing). W. Va. Code 29-3B-2

Plumbing

  • Division of Labor plumber license: Plumbing work needs a Division of Labor plumber license, with no dollar minimum (exemptions in W. Va. Code 21-14-3(c)). Jobs of $5,000 or more on homes, or $25,000 or more commercial, also need a Contractor Licensing Board license. Issued by West Virginia Division of Labor (plumber and HVAC technician certification). W. Va. Code 21-14; WV Division of Labor Plumber Certification page

Heating and air conditioning (HVAC)

  • HVAC technician certification: Heating, ventilating and cooling work needs a Division of Labor HVAC technician certification, with no dollar minimum. Jobs of $5,000 or more on homes, or $25,000 or more commercial, also need a Contractor Licensing Board license. Issued by West Virginia Division of Labor (plumber and HVAC technician certification). W. Va. Code 21-16; WV Division of Labor HVAC Technician Certification page

Where to look up contractors in West Virginia

  • West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board: official license search
  • West Virginia Division of Labor (plumber and HVAC technician certification): official license search. Choose Current Certified Plumbers or Current Certified HVAC Technicians, then search by name, certification number, city or county.
  • West Virginia State Fire Marshal (electrician licensing): official license search. Search by first name, last name, city or license number.

On the record, check that the name matches your contract, the status is active (not expired, suspended or revoked), the license type covers your job, and the license number matches the one the contractor gave you.

What this tool does not do

  • It does not check any one contractor. Only the board's own record shows whether a license is active and what it covers.
  • It covers state rules. Cities and counties can add their own licenses and permits, and the tool cannot list every local rule.
  • It does not decide whether a contractor broke the law or what you can recover. For a dispute, contact the board or a lawyer.
  • It does not cover every specialty trade a state licenses (for example pest control, elevators or well drilling).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up a contractor license in West Virginia?

Use the official online license search from the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board. Search by the contractor's name, business name or license number, and check that the status is active and the license type covers your job. Other state boards on this page: the West Virginia Division of Labor (plumber and HVAC technician certification) and West Virginia State Fire Marshal (electrician licensing).

Do you need a contractor license for a small job in West Virginia?

Building, altering, repairing or improving a residential structure needs a Contractor Licensing Board license when the cost of the job is $5,000 or more. For jobs under $5,000, this state rule generally does not apply, but the conditions and exceptions listed on this page can change that, and a city or county can require its own license.

Which trades need a state license in West Virginia?

Electrical: State Fire Marshal electrician license from West Virginia State Fire Marshal (electrician licensing). Plumbing: Division of Labor plumber license from the West Virginia Division of Labor (plumber and HVAC technician certification). HVAC: HVAC technician certification from the West Virginia Division of Labor (plumber and HVAC technician certification).

What happens if a West Virginia contractor works without a required license?

A person who keeps contracting without a license after a cease and desist order commits a misdemeanor, with fines of $200 to $1,000 for a first offense and higher fines and jail for repeat offenses.

Sources

Checked against official West Virginia sources on October 25, 2026.

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